Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Supporting rural Ireland is a major cross-governmental policy objective and priority. However, the amounts allocated to the Department of Rural and Community Development are themselves but a fraction of what we invest in our regions and local communities. For example, the figures the Deputy referred to do not include how much we spend in schools located in rural communities, nor do they include rural bus networks, primary care centres or health facilities located outside our larger cities. I differ from the Deputy regarding the inference I think he is making, which is that the key way in which money is spent in rural communities is through the Department of Rural and Community Development. In reality, it is only a very small part of overall Government expenditure. It is the priority of every Department to focus on communities, both rural and urban.

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